Mayor's Welcome

The City of Garden Grove invites residents to submit photos of their home’s exterior holiday decorations to be posted in an online gallery called Garden Grove Holiday Lights 2023. Photos may be submitted at ggcity.org/holiday-lights starting on Monday, November 27, for a 2-week photo submission period, followed by online viewing starting Thursday, December 14.

“This new feature showcases our local holiday spirit as we highlight Garden Grove homes and residents for creating holiday magic for all to enjoy,” said Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.

The City of Garden Grove's Home Repair Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to low-income homeowners to rehabilitate major systems of the home including electrical, plumbing, heating, windows, paint, and handicap accessibility. Major home repairs that are beyond the grant amount will not be considered. Garden Grove homeowners who are pre-qualified for the grant will be placed in a lottery style drawing, where City Staff will randomly choose applicants to move forward to the income verification stage.

From Black Friday, November 24 through Thursday, December 14, shoppers who spend $50 or more in Garden Grove have the opportunity to win $500, $250, a 1-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, and more, during the City’s end-of-year Buy in Garden Grove (BiGG) campaign, Black Friday Goes BiGG.

Celebrate the holiday season at Garden Grove’s 6th annual Winter in the Grove community event on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in Village Green Park, located at 12732 Main Street. Entry to the event is free.

New this year are free, unlimited snow slides crafted from 50 tons of snow at the “Snowtopia” attraction.

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Garden Grove City Council and Garden Grove Downtown Commission will honor Zlaket’s Market and the Zlaket family with a plaque dedication and unveiling. The ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m., in front of Phin Smith coffee shop, at 12921 Main Street, where Zlaket’s Market—Garden Grove’s oldest family-owned-and-operated business—stood for 87 years.

From Wednesday, November 1 through Friday, December 8, 2023, the community can assist local youth and seniors in need during the holidays by donating new and unwrapped toys, board games, sports equipment, gift cards, and other essential supplies to the City of Garden Grove’s 25th Annual Holiday Drive. Donations can be dropped off at:

OCFA is excited to participate in the Spark of Love Toy Drive again for 2023!

Toys will be collected at all 78 OCFA fire stations again this year and at OCFA headquarter located at 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA 92602. Click HERE find your closest fire station.